Creating a Dementia Friendly Congregation

TIME: 3-5 pm AKT, 4-6 pm PT, 5-7 pm MT, 6-8 pm CT, 7-9 pm ET         

Registration fee: $30 for LFCNA members/$50 for non-members   

Nursing Contact hours provided: 2.0 (see below)

Course Description:  During this presentation, participants will learn strategies to create a congregation that is knowledgeable, understanding, and compassionate towards people and families affected by dementia. Going beyond the basics of dementia, faith community nurses will learn how best to support both persons with dementia and their families though evidence-based practice related to daily care, improved communication, maintaining mobility, increased accessibility and safety, and how the love of Christ can be shown in everyday life.

OBJECTIVES:  At the end of this session:

• Describe the common challenging behaviors seen in persons with dementia
• Discuss various approaches to managing difficult behaviors
• Appreciate the person with dementia as a unique individual loved by God
• Evaluate her/his own congregation for friendliness to those with dementia and their families/caregivers
• Analyze strategies to make his/her congregation dementia-friendly

Speaker Bio: Dr. Mauk is currently Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Colorado Christian University. Prior to moving to Colorado, she was a Professor of Nursing at a large private university in Indiana for nearly 25 years where she held the first Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Science, a position dedicated to gerontological nursing. She earned a BSN from Valparaiso University, an MS in Adult Health from Purdue University, a PhD from Wayne State University, a Post-Master’s GNP certification from University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Valparaiso University. Dr. Mauk has more than 44 years of experience in chronic illness nursing, rehabilitation, and gerontological nursing. She is certified in rehabilitation, and as a gerontological nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. Dr. Mauk has authored or edited 10 books, including three that were recognized with an AJN Book of the Year Award. She is the former Senior Editor for the Journal of Christian Nursing and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Integrative Nursing. Recent publications include those in the APM&R and Rehabilitation Nursing.

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by Montana Nurses Association, an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. To receive contact hours for this event, attendees must attend the entire event and submit a completed evaluation form.